Authentic dirt shirts and bags systems

ABSTRACT

Authentic dirt shirts and bags systems may comprise a novel line of authentically worn-appearing and sullied sports apparel which may include, but not limited to, sports jerseys and uniforms, athletic shirts, caps, tote bags, and other athletic gear and sporting apparel. In one embodiment, authentic dirt shirts and bags may comprise a dirty baseball uniform depicting a team logo and player number. Further, the dirty baseball uniform may comprise for example a slide streak which may be sprayed onto the fabric with treated color dye.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from priorprovisional application Ser. No. 61/409,958, filed Nov. 3, 2010, whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understandingthe present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of theinformation provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presentlydescribed or claimed inventions, or that any publication or documentthat is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of sports andathletic apparel and more specifically relates to a novel line of sportsand athletic apparel which may appear to be authentically worn anddirty.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many sports fans enjoy purchasing and donning sports apparel in supportof their favorite player or preferred team. For example, baseball fansmay purchase a brand new baseball jersey depicting one of their favoriteplayers which they may wear to live games. Wearing baseball jerseys,shorts, and other apparel is a way for sports fans to feel moreconnected to their “home team” and to support the sport they enjoywatching.

Typically, a uniform or jersey as used in sports is a shirt worn by amember of a sports organization and conventionally depicts the athlete'slast name and team number in addition to a team logo or insignia. Theseuniforms frequently become soiled during a game when athletes dive,slide, and otherwise make contact with the playing surface.

A baseball uniform is a type of uniform worn by baseball players. Mostbaseball uniforms have the names and uniform numbers of players who wearthem, usually on the backs of the uniforms to distinguish players fromone other. Baseball shirts (jerseys), shoes, socks, caps, and glove areparts of baseball uniforms. Many traditional uniforms have differentlogos and colors to tell which team is which the uniforms may also wornto identify the two teams and officials apart. However, sports jerseyand other apparel are typically sold clean and unsoiled. A sports fanmay wish to wear apparel that appears to be dirty and soiled to give theillusion that the apparel has been broken in and “played” in.

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problemssuch as those found in U.S. Pat No. 5,029,343 to Wade A. McIntyre; U.S.Pat. No. 6,702,861 to Stanley Trask et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,299 toKris T. Ziakas; U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,450 to Lynne A. Olson et al; U.S.Pub. No. 2011/0047669 to Chad Carr; and U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0083529 toTrenton L. Tate. This prior art is representative of sports and athleticapparel. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singlyor in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Ideally, sports and athletic apparel should give the look and feel ofauthentic play, yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at amodest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable authentic dirt shirtsand bags systems to provide an additional souvenir option for sportsfans who wish to wear sports apparel that appear authentically dirty andworn, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known sportsapparel art, the present invention provides a novel authentic dirtshirts and bags system. The general purpose of the present invention,which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide anovel line of sports and athletic apparel which may appear to beauthentically worn and dirty. The present invention, which will bediscussed in greater detail provides a new and unique line of sportsapparel which may be stained and dirtied using authentic dirt or soilfrom which the home team of the depicted player on the sports apparelhails. The novel line of sports athletic apparel of the presentinvention may be worn by a sports fan to provide protection against theelements during a sporting event while providing a unique aestheticalappeal to sports spectators and enthusiasts.

The present invention may generally comprise an article of sportsapparel which may depict a team logo representing the insignia of asports organization. The apparel may comprise a baseball uniform orjersey, baseball shirt, cap, tote bag, or some other uniform or jerseyof another sport (such as soccer and the like.)

The article of sports apparel may purposely be stained via a dyingprocess which may give the look and appearance that the apparel has beenworn in a sporting activity. The article of sports apparel may also beuseful as environmental protection from ambient elements while a fan isactively cheering and watching the sporting activity. Furthermore, thestain may be non-removably embedded into a fabric surface of the sportsapparel such that it is not readily removable via a washing process.Additionally, the stain may comprise dirt which may have been removedfrom a stadium where a home team plays (as depicted by the team logo.)It is contemplated that a sports fan may be enticed to own a jersey thatshares a piece of the stadium of the home team as a unique novelty item.In one embodiment, the stain comprises a colored dye comprising anaqueous solution which may further comprise a dirt-resembling-pigment.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves asauthentic dirt shirts and bags systems. For purposes of summarizing theinvention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of theinvention have been described herein. It is to be understood that notnecessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with anyone particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may beembodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes oneadvantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarilyachieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. Thefeatures of the invention which are believed to be novel areparticularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concludingportion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, andadvantages of the present invention will become better understood withreference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specificationillustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention,authentic dirt shirts and bags systems, constructed and operativeaccording to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an authentic dirt shirtsand bags systems comprising a dirty baseball jersey in an ‘in-use’condition being worn by a user according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a dirty baseball shirtaccording to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view illustrating a perspective view of thedirty baseball jersey according to an embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a method of spraying treatedcolor dye to the dirty baseball jersey by the user depicting a slidestreak according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view illustrating the authentic dirtshirts and bags systems comprising a tote bag according to an embodimentof the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B is a front perspective view illustrating the authentic dirtshirts and bags systems comprising a cap according to an embodiment ofthe present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to anembodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to anauthentic dirt shirts and bags systems more particularly to novel lineof sports and athletic apparel which may appear to be authentically wornand dirty. The novel line of sports athletic apparel of the presentinvention may be worn by a user to provide protection against theelements during a sporting event while providing a unique aestheticalappeal to sports fans.

Embodiments of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 may comprisean article of sports apparel comprising team logo 120, wherein thearticle of sports apparel is purposely stained to give the look andappearance that the article of sports apparel has been worn in asporting activity. Further, the article of sports apparel is useful asenvironmental protection from ambient elements while a fan is activelycheering and watching a sporting activity. The stain may preferably benon-removably embedded into a fabric surface of the sports apparel suchthat it is not removable via a washing process. Additionally, the dirtmay comprise soil removed from a stadium where a home team plays thatmay be depicted by team logo 120. The stain may comprise colored dye 125whereby colored dye 125 may comprise an aqueous solution comprising adirt-resembling-pigment. Such a dirt-resembling-pigment may be brown ortan in color. Furthermore, colored dye 125 may be used in combinationwith a mordant to improve the fastness of colored dye 125 to the sportsapparel.

It should be appreciated that sports apparel may comprise dirty baseballjersey 110, dirty baseball shirt 200, tote bag 500, or cap 520 (asshown). Alternatively, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 maycomprise football jersey 590, soccer jersey 594, or other such athleticgear and apparel. It should be appreciated that football jersey 590,soccer jersey 594, or other athletic gear and apparel.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown inFIG. 1, authentic dirt shirts and bags system 100 during ‘in-use’condition 150. In one embodiment of the present invention, authenticdirt shirts and bags system 100 may comprise dirty baseball jersey 110being worn by user 140 while walking to baseball stadium 160 to watch asporting event such as a baseball game. Dirty baseball jersey 110 maycomprise a long-sleeve baseball shirt (or short sleeve) which may betreated with colored dye 125 thereby giving dirty baseball jersey 110 anappearance that dirty baseball jersey 110 has been authentically wornand aged as a result of the game of baseball. In such a manner, dirtybaseball jersey 110 may appear similar to a baseball uniform as worn bya professional MLB baseball player during the game of baseball.

In continuing to refer to FIG. 1, dirty baseball jersey 110 may compriseteam logo 120 comprising a logo, symbol, or indicia depicting the logoof a baseball organization which may be stitched into the material ofdirty baseball jersey 110. It should be appreciated that dirty baseballjersey 110 may be manufactured depicting team logo 120 of any baseballorganization based upon player popularity, current trends, or may becustomized based on preference of user 140.

Referring now to FIG. 2, showing a perspective view illustrating analternative embodiment of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100. Asshown, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 may comprise dirtybaseball shirt 200. Dirty baseball shirt 200 may comprise ashort-sleeved athletic shirt which may depict team logo 120. In oneembodiment, dirty baseball shirt 200 may be manufactured using knitfabric. Alternatively, dirty baseball shirt 200 may comprise cotton,nylon, wool, polyester, or synthetic fibers.

In still referring to FIG. 2, dirty baseball shirt 200 may comprisecolored dye 125 which may be non-washably embedded into the fabricthereby giving dirty baseball shirt 200 a worn and aged appearance.Furthermore, dirty baseball shirt 200 may comprise colored dye 125 whichmay be infused with authentic stadium soil 130. In such a manner, user140 may feel more connected to his or her favorite player, team, orsports organization because a piece of the stadium depicted by team logo120 is embedded into the fabric of dirty baseball shirt 200.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrating a perspective view of authenticdirt shirts and bags systems 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention of FIG. 1. As shown, authentic dirt shirts and bagssystems 100 may comprise dirty baseball jersey 110 which may comprise along-sleeve baseball uniform. Dirty baseball jersey 110 may compriseslide streak 300 which may appear as if a baseball player has slid intoa base. In such a manner, slide streak 300 may tend to increase theauthentic appearance of dirty baseball jersey 110. Dirty baseball jersey110 may further comprise team logo 120. It should be appreciated thatteam logo 120 may comprise a design, logo, or indicia representing anyprofessional sports team's organization.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 & 3, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100may comprise an article of sports apparel comprising dirty baseballjersey 110, wherein dirty baseball jersey 110 comprises a team logo 120,and wherein dirty baseball jersey 110 is purposely stained to give thelook and appearance that dirty baseball jersey 110 has been worn in asporting activity. The stain may be non-removably embedded into a fabricsurface of dirty baseball jersey 110 such that the stain is notremovable via a washing process. The stain may comprise dirt removedfrom a stadium where a home team represented by team logo 120 plays, andthe said stain may further comprise colored dye 125 combined with anaqueous solution to create the stain. It should be noted that coloreddye 125 may be used in combination with a mordant to improve thefastness of colored dye 125 to dirty baseball jersey 110. It shouldfurther be appreciated that dirty baseball jersey 110 may be useful asenvironmental protection from ambient elements while user 140 isactively cheering and watching a sporting activity.

In referring now to FIG. 4, illustrating a method of spraying treatedcolor dye 410 during ‘in-use’ condition 450 to dirty baseball jersey110. In such a manner, treated color dye 410 may depict slide streak 300according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1 & 3. Asshown, slide streak 300, may be created with use of spray can 405 whichmay contain treated color dye 410. In one embodiment, treated color dye410 may comprise an aqueous solution. It should be noted that treatedcolor dye 410 may be applied to dirty baseball jersey 110 in combinationwith a mordant to improve the fastness of treated color dye 410 to dirtybaseball jersey 110. It should be noted that treated color dye 410 maycomprise a natural dye, or alternatively a synthetic dye. Preferably,treated color dye 410 comprises a pigment which may comprise a brown ortan color. In such a manner, treated color dye 410 may give dirtybaseball jersey 110 the appearance that dirty baseball jersey 110 hasbeen authentically worn over a period of time and is soiled withauthentic stadium soil 130 depicted by team logo 120. Once slide streak300 is applied to dirty baseball jersey 110, it may be hung from dryingrack 425 in order for treated color dye 410 to properly set into thefabric. The dying process may be performed manually (as shown) ornon-manually. Iron-oxide may be used to provide appearance of slidestreak 300.

It has also been contemplated that the various embodiments of authenticdirt shirts and bags systems 100 may be colored and stained via thetechnique of azoic dyeing, in which an insoluble azo dye is produceddirectly onto or within the fiber. This may be achieved by treating afibre with both diazoic and coupling components. With suitableadjustment of dyebath conditions the two components react to produce therequired insoluble azo dye. This technique of dyeing is unique, in thatthe final color is controlled by the choice of the diazoic and couplingcomponents.

When treated color dye 410 is used in combination with mordant, thefastness of the dye against water, light, and perspiration issignificantly improved. The choice of mordant is very important asdifferent mordants can change the final color significantly. Mostnatural dyes are mordant dyes and there is therefore a large literaturebase describing dyeing techniques. The most important mordant dyes arethe synthetic mordant dyes, or chrome dyes, used for wool; thesecomprise some 30% of dyes used for wool, and are especially useful forblack and navy shades. The mordant, potassium dichromate, is applied asan after-treatment which may be used in preferred embodiments of thepresent invention.

With regards to authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 comprisingdirty baseball jersey 110, it should be noted that conventionally eachindividual baseball player wears a home jersey and an away jersey. Thehome jersey is typically lighter in color (ie. white) and the awayjersey is dark in color. In such a manner, dirty baseball jersey 110 maybe manufactured in both a home style and away style and stain may bedarkened or lightened to be suitably visible. Dirty baseball shirt 200and tote bag 500 in combination may comprise a kit for sale. Kit mayalso comprise other items of sporting garments.

In referring now to FIG. 5A, showing a front perspective viewillustrating authentic dirt shirts and bags system 100 comprising totebag 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown,tote bag 500 may appear authentically worn and dirty as a result ofcolored dye 125 infused in the fabric of tote bag 500. Further, tote bag500 may comprise team logo 120 on at least one exterior surface. Itshould be appreciated that tote bag 500 may be manufactured depictingteam logo 120 of any sports organization based upon team popularity,current trends, or may be customized based on preference of user 140. Itshould be appreciated that trademark use permission should be sought forproducing the present invention when using team logos with suchprotection.

In referring now to FIG. 5B, showing a front perspective viewillustrating authentic dirt shirts and bags system 100 comprising cap520 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, cap520 may comprise a baseball cap which may appear authentically worn anddirty as a result of colored dye 125 infused in the fabric of cap 520.It should be appreciated that cap 520 may be manufactured depicting teamlogo 120 of any sports organization based upon team popularity, currenttrends, or may be customized based on preference of user 140.

In alternative embodiments of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100which may not be shown, the novel line of apparel may comprise footballjersey, soccer jersey, or other athletic gear and apparel. It should beappreciated that football jersey, soccer jersey, or other athletic gearand apparel may comprise various colors, player names, and team logo 120depicting indicia depicting a variety of professional sportsorganizations.

FIG. 6 shows flowchart 650 illustrating method of use 600 of authenticdirt shirts and bags systems 100 according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention of FIGS. 1-5. Method of use 600 may comprise thesteps of: step one 601 applying (manually or non-manually) colored dye125 comprising authentic stadium soil 130 to authentic dirt shirts andbags systems 100 apparel, step two 602 spraying slide streak 300 todirty baseball jersey 110 via spray can 405 (or other), and step three603 drying dirty baseball jersey 100 using drying rack 425.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can becarried out in many different orders according to user preference. Uponreading this specification, it should be appreciated that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference,user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements,available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of usearrangements such as, for example, different orders withinabove-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps,including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may besufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application.

1. An authentically dirtied apparel and sports paraphernalia systemcomprising: at least one article of sports apparel; wherein said atleast one article of sports apparel comprises at least one team logo;wherein said article of sports apparel is purposely stained to give thelook and appearance that said article of sports apparel has been worn ina sporting activity; and wherein said article of sports apparel isuseful as environmental protection from ambient elements while a fan isactively cheering and watching said sporting activity.
 2. Theauthentically dirtied apparel and sports paraphernalia of claim 1,wherein said stain is non-removably embedded into a fabric surface ofsaid sports apparel such that it is not readily removable via a washingprocess.
 3. The authentically dirtied apparel and sports paraphernaliaof claim 1, wherein said stain comprises dirt.
 4. The authenticallydirtied apparel and sports paraphernalia of claim 3, wherein said dirtcomprises soil removed from a stadium where a home team plays, said hometeam as depicted by said team logo.
 5. The authentically dirtied appareland sports paraphernalia of claim 2, wherein said stain comprises atleast one colored dye.
 6. The authentically dirtied apparel and sportsparaphernalia of claim 5, wherein said at least one colored dyecomprises an aqueous solution.
 7. The authentically dirtied apparel andsports paraphernalia of claim 6, wherein said at least one colored dyecomprises a dirt-resembling-pigment.
 8. The authentically dirtiedapparel and sports paraphernalia of claim 6, wherein said colored dye isused in combination with a mordant to improve fastness of said coloreddye to said sports apparel.
 9. The authentically dirtied apparel andsports paraphernalia of claim 5, wherein said at least one colored dyecomprises a natural dye.
 10. The authentically dirtied apparel andsports paraphernalia of claim 5, wherein said at least one colored dyecomprises a synthetic dye
 11. The authentically dirtied apparel andsports paraphernalia of claim 1, wherein said sports apparel comprises abaseball jersey.
 12. The authentically dirtied apparel and sportsparaphernalia of claim 1, wherein said sports apparel comprises afootball jersey.
 13. The authentically dirtied apparel and sportsparaphernalia of claim 1, wherein said sports apparel comprises a soccerjersey.
 14. The authentically dirtied apparel and sports paraphernaliaof claim 1, wherein said sports apparel comprises a cap.
 15. Theauthentically dirtied apparel and sports paraphernalia of claim 1,wherein said sports apparel comprises a tote bag.
 16. An authenticallydirtied apparel and sports paraphernalia system comprising: an articleof sports apparel, said sports apparel comprising a baseball jersey;wherein said baseball jersey comprises a team insignia; wherein saidbaseball jersey is purposely stained to give the look and appearancethat said baseball jersey has been worn in a sporting activity, saidstain is non-removably embedded into a fabric surface of said baseballjersey such that it is not removable via a washing process; wherein saidstain comprises dirt removed from a stadium where a home teamrepresented by said team insignia plays, said stain further comprising acolored dye combined with an aqueous solution to create said stain, saidcolored dye used in combination with a mordant to improve a fastness ofsaid colored dye to said baseball jersey; and wherein said baseballjersey is useful as environmental protection from ambient elements whilea fan is actively cheering and watching said sporting activity.
 17. Amethod of creating an authentically dirtied apparel and sportsparaphernalia system comprising the steps of: applying dirt based dye toapparel; spraying streak stain; and drying said apparel.